Designing for Joy: "Vibe Coding" as a Framework for Inclusive, Engaging Digital Learning Experiences

Vibe coding is officially on the edtech radar, but what does it actually look like in a classroom, and how do teachers design it intentionally? This hands-on session moves beyond the buzzword and into practice. Using design thinking, UX principles and pedagogy-first frameworks, you will analyze real classroom examples such as Fractions Farm, Partner Pals, High Five Counting, Money Challenge and Caterpillar Math to discover what makes a learning experience feel alive. Then you will apply a repeatable four-part Vibe Coding Framework (Concept, Visual Metaphor, Interaction, Access) to begin designing your own. Explore the principles behind high-engagement digital environments, including visual-first learning, immediate feedback loops and low-floor, high-ceiling tasks, along with explicit connections to UDL and inclusive design for multilingual learners and students with disabilities. The framework works with tools you already have, such as Google Sites, Canva and Adobe Express, across grade levels and content areas. Leave with a framework, a prototype or design plan, and a new lens on what joyful, inclusive student engagement can look like.